U.S. patent application number 15/818567 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-24 for backer latch attachment.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tedder Industries, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Tedder Industries, LLC. Invention is credited to Jacob Shearer, Thomas Tedder.
Application Number | 20180142990 15/818567 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62147536 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180142990 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tedder; Thomas ; et
al. |
May 24, 2018 |
Backer Latch Attachment
Abstract
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide
a backer latch attachment system for various field-adaptable
holster arrangements (such as for handgun holsters, for example).
In the implementations, the backer latch attachment may be used to
couple various carrier components together and/or to a holster
backer to form holsters in various configurations. In various
embodiments, the backer latch attachment includes a male latch
support arranged to receive and to support a feature of the carrier
and a female lock cover arranged to trap the feature to the male
latch support.
Inventors: |
Tedder; Thomas; (Post Falls,
ID) ; Shearer; Jacob; (Post Falls, ID) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tedder Industries, LLC |
Post Falls |
ID |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Tedder Industries, LLC
Post Falls
ID
|
Family ID: |
62147536 |
Appl. No.: |
15/818567 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62424666 |
Nov 21, 2016 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 33/0236 20130101;
F41C 33/048 20130101; F41C 33/041 20130101; F41C 33/04 20130101;
F41C 33/02 20130101; F41C 33/0209 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41C 33/04 20060101
F41C033/04 |
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: a male latch support including: one or
more latch fins adapted to receive a feature of a carrier, the one
or more latch fins configured to protrude from a portion of the
male latch support; and one or more couplers disposed on a surface
of the male latch support; and a female lock cover removably
coupled to the male latch support via the one or more couplers and
adapted to cover the one or more latch fins and to secure the
feature of the carrier to the one or more latch fins when the
female lock cover is coupled to the male latch support, the female
lock cover including: a first portion configured to overlap the one
or more latch fins when the female lock cover is coupled to the
male latch support; and a second portion including one or more
complementary couplers configured to engage the one or more
couplers of the male latch support to removably couple the female
lock cover to the male latch support.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism
removably coupled to the male latch support and the female lock
cover and configured to prevent the male latch support and the
female lock cover from unintentionally moving with respect to each
other.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism
comprises a first portion of a male lock component comprising a
portion of the male latch support, a second portion of the male
lock component comprising a portion of the female lock cover, and a
cap configured to fit over the male lock component when the first
portion of the male lock component is joined to the second portion
of the male lock component.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first portion of the male
lock component is joined to the second portion of the male lock
component when the female lock cover is coupled to the male latch
support.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a detent or recess
in the first portion of the female lock cover configured to fit a
shape of the one or more latch fins.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a belt clip or a
belt slide integral to or coupled to the female lock cover.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more latch fins
have a shape and a size configured to mate with the feature of the
carrier, the one or more latch fins configured to be inserted into
one or more openings of the feature of the carrier.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more couplers
comprise a first portion of a sliding coupler and the one or more
complementary couplers comprise a second portion of the sliding
coupler, and wherein the second portion of the sliding coupler is
configured to engage the first portion of the sliding coupler by
sliding the second portion of the sliding coupler with respect to
the first portion of the sliding coupler.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more couplers and
the one or more complementary couplers have interlocking shapes
configured to engage each other and to secure the female lock cover
to the male latch support by sliding the one or more complementary
couplers with respect to the one or more couplers.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the
female lock cover is configured to trap the feature of the carrier
between the male latch support and the female lock cover.
11. A holster for an implement, comprising: a carrier adapted to
enclose at least a portion of the implement, the carrier including
a feature; a backer; a male latch support attached to the backer
and configured to couple the carrier to the backer, the male latch
support including one or more latch fins adapted to receive the
feature; a female lock cover adapted to be removably coupled to the
male latch support, the female lock cover including a first portion
arranged to overlap the one or more latch fins and arranged to
secure the feature to the one or more latch fins when the female
lock cover is coupled to the male latch support. further comprising
one or more locking mechanisms arranged to prevent the female lock
cover from unintentionally moving with respect to the male latch
support when the female lock cover is coupled to the male latch
support.
12. The holster of claim 11, wherein the one or more locking
mechanisms includes a first portion of a male lock component
comprising a portion of the male latch support, a second portion of
the male lock component comprising a portion of the female lock
cover, and a cap configured to fit over the male lock component
when the first portion of the male lock component is joined to the
second portion of the male lock component.
13. The holster of claim 11, further comprising one or more sliding
couplers arranged to engage and secure the female lock cover to the
male latch support when the female lock cover is slid with respect
to the male latch support, the one or more sliding couplers
including a first portion integral to the male latch support and a
second portion integral to the female lock cover.
14. The holster of claim 13, wherein the first portion and the
second portion have complementary interlocking shapes configured to
engage each other and to secure the female lock cover to the male
latch support when the second portion is slid with respect to the
first portion.
15. The holster of claim 13, further comprising one or more locking
mechanisms arranged to prevent the first portion of the one or more
sliding couplers from unintentionally sliding with respect to the
second portion of the one or more sliding couplers.
16. The holster of claim 11, wherein the one or more latch fins are
configured to be inserted into one or more openings in the feature
of the carrier.
17. A holster for a handgun, comprising: a holster shell adapted to
enclose at least a portion of the handgun, the holster shell
including a latch component on an outer surface of the holster
shell; a holster backer adapted to unite with the holster shell to
enclose at least the portion of the implement; a male latch support
attached to the backer, the male latch support including one or
more latch fins adapted to receive the latch component; a female
lock cover adapted to secure the latch component to the one or more
latch fins when the female lock cover is coupled to the male latch
support; one or more sliding couplers arranged to engage and secure
the female lock cover to the male latch support when the female
lock cover is slid with respect to the male latch support, the one
or more sliding couplers including a first portion integral to the
male latch support and a second portion integral to the female lock
cover; and one or more locking mechanisms arranged to prevent the
first portion of the one or more sliding couplers from
unintentionally sliding with respect to the second portion of the
one or more sliding couplers.
18. The holster of claim 17, wherein the one or more locking
mechanisms comprise a twist lock device comprised of a female cap
component arranged to engage a male post component.
18. The holster of claim 17, wherein the holster is field
convertible by a user from a first configuration as an inside the
waistband (IWB) holster to a second configuration as an outside the
waistband (OWB) holster by exchanging the female lock cover with an
alternate female lock cover.
20. The holster of claim 17, wherein the female lock cover includes
an integral belt clip or an integral belt slide.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e)(1) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/424,666, filed
Nov. 21, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Implements, such as tools, weapons, and the like, may be
temporarily encased in a carrier (such as a holster, for instance)
for protection of the implement and/or the user, while providing
access to the implement. For example, a carrier may allow a user to
conveniently carry the implement, safely retaining the implement
until needed. When the implement is to be used, the user may
withdraw the implement from the carrier, and then return it to the
carrier when finished. In some cases, such as with a handgun for
example, the holster may allow the user to conceal the implement,
or to conceal the fact that the user is carrying the implement.
[0003] In the case of a handgun, the holster should reasonably
protect the handgun and the user, and should be convenient to the
user for ready use. Accordingly, the holster should retain the
handgun until it is to be used, but allow the user to draw the
handgun for use without undue effort or difficulty. The holster
should be rigid and stable enough to allow the handgun to be
repeatedly drawn and re-holstered, usually with the same hand.
However, the holster should also be versatile enough to be
comfortably carried by the user, such as when it is worn on the
person of the user for an extended length of time.
[0004] In many circumstances it can be desirable to have more than
one holster configuration for a handgun or other implement. For
example, at different times it may be desirable to have one holster
configured for outside-the-waistband (OWB) carry, another holster
configured for inside-the-waistband (IWB) carry, still another
holster for shoulder carry, an additional holster for ankle carry,
and so forth, often for the same handgun. The desire for multiple
holster configurations can be further compounded for multiple
handguns (or implements).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a
reference number identifies the figure in which the reference
number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in
different figures indicates similar or identical items.
[0006] For this discussion, the devices and systems illustrated in
the figures are shown as having a multiplicity of components.
Various implementations of devices and/or systems, as described
herein, may include fewer components and remain within the scope of
the disclosure. Alternately, other implementations of devices
and/or systems may include additional components, or various
combinations of the described components, and remain within the
scope of the disclosure. Shapes and/or dimensions shown in the
illustrations of the figures are for example, and other shapes and
or dimensions may be used and remain within the scope of the
disclosure, unless specified otherwise.
[0007] FIG. 1 shows a front view of an example holster
configuration, with an example backer latch attachment, according
to an implementation.
[0008] FIGS. 2 and 3 show a partially expanded view of the example
holster configuration of FIG. 1, according to an
implementation.
[0009] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a further expanded view of the example
holster configuration of FIG. 1, according to an
implementation.
[0010] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an example male latch
support component, according to an implementation.
[0011] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an example lock cover,
according to an implementation.
[0012] FIG. 8 shows a detail view of an example lock cover coupled
to an example male latch support, according to an
implementation.
[0013] FIG. 9 shows a top view of the example holster configuration
of FIG. 1, with the example backer latch attachment, according to
an implementation.
[0014] FIGS. 10-12 show perspective views of an example holster
configuration with an example backer latch attachment, according to
an implementation.
[0015] FIGS. 13-15 show perspective views of another example
holster configuration with an example backer latch attachment,
according to an implementation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Overview
[0016] Representative implementations of devices and techniques
provide a backer latch attachment system for various
field-adaptable holster arrangements (such as for handgun holsters
or other implement holsters, for example). In the implementations,
the backer latch attachment may be used to couple various holster
components (holster shell, belt clip, belt strap adapter, paddle,
modular coupler, etc.) together and/or to a holster backer to form
holsters in various configurations. For example, the backer latch
attachment system may be employed by a user to form various
user-convertible holster configurations, such as inside the
waistband (IWB) holsters, outside the waistband (OWB) holsters, and
other carry configurations of holsters, by interchanging and
coupling components using the backer latch attachment.
[0017] In various implementations, the backer latch attachment may
be temporarily or permanently fixed to a holster backer (or to a
paddle, a modular coupler, a strap, a belt slide, and so forth). In
the implementations, the backer latch attachment engages one or
more features (such as a latch device) on a holster shell or cover,
and couples the holster shell to the backer at least in part by the
features. The backer latch attachment securely grips the features,
coupling various components to the holster shell via the features
and the backer latch attachment. One or more lock mechanisms may be
used to lock the holster features to the backer latch attachment,
until intentionally released by the user.
[0018] Techniques and devices are discussed with reference to
example handgun holsters illustrated in the figures. However, this
is not intended to be limiting, and is for ease of discussion and
illustrative convenience. The techniques and devices discussed may
be applied to a holster or to any of various cases, carriers,
containers, implements, tools, objects, and the like, and remain
within the scope of the disclosure. For the purposes of this
disclosure, the generic term "carrier" is used to indicate any or
all of the above.
[0019] Further, the shape and quantity of the backer latch
components illustrated in the figures may vary to accommodate the
various objects to be coupled, as well as to accommodate various
applications. In alternate embodiments, fewer, additional, or
alternate components may be used and/or combined to form a backer
latch having an equivalent function and operation.
[0020] Implementations are explained in more detail below using a
plurality of examples. Although various implementations and
examples are discussed here and below, further implementations and
examples may be possible by combining the features and elements of
individual implementations and examples.
Example Embodiments
[0021] An example backer latch attachment ("backer latch") 100, as
shown in FIGS. 1-15, allows for a carrier (such as an implement or
an implement holster, for example) to be coupled to additional
holster components and/or to a holster backer 106, using a feature,
such as a latch 202, for example, provided on the carrier. As shown
in FIGS. 1-15, in various implementations, a backer latch 100
includes a male latch support 102 arranged to receive the feature
202 (e.g., latch) of the carrier and a lock cover 104 arranged to
temporarily or permanently lock the feature 202 to the male latch
support 102. The feature 202 is trapped between the male latch
support 102 and the lock cover 104, coupling the carrier (e.g.,
holster shell) to the backer 106 securely, until intentionally
released by the user. The backer latch 100 can also couple
additional components to the carrier or to the backer 106, as
desired. In various embodiments, the backer latch 100 may include
various other components as described herein and below, for
convenience and for accommodating various applications.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1-15, in various embodiments, the male
latch support 102 is coupled to the backer 106 using temporary or
permanent fasteners (fasteners are not shown) via attachment holes
112 in the male latch support 102. The male latch support 102 may
include one or more spacers 402 (see FIG. 4) to adjust or customize
a height of the male latch support 102 above a surface of the
backer 106, to accommodate various applications, for example. The
male latch support 102 is formed to mate with one or more features
202 of the carrier. In various implementations, the male latch
support 102 and the features 202 on the carrier may have a
different shape, size, etc. than those illustrated, but are still
adapted to mate with each other.
[0023] In various embodiments, the male latch support 102 includes
one or more latch fins 204 arranged to engage the feature 202 of
the carrier. In some embodiments, the carrier feature 202 includes
one or more recesses or openings 302 that may be engaged by the
latch fins 202. For example, the latch fins 202 can insert into the
openings 302 to hold the feature 202, and thus, the carrier. In an
embodiment, when attaching the carrier to the backer 106, the
carrier is positioned over the backer 106 and the male latch
support 102 so that the latch fins 204 are inserted into the one or
more openings 302 in the carrier.
[0024] In various implementations, the male latch support 102
includes a first half 206 of a sliding coupler. A female lock cover
104 is slideably coupled onto the male latch support 102 using a
second half 108 of the sliding coupler (see FIG. 8). In various
embodiments, sliding couplers may have different interlocking
shapes, allowing mated sliding coupler halves 108 and 206 to engage
each other by sliding one coupler half 108 with respect to the
other coupler half 206, forming a secure coupler.
[0025] For example, in an implementation, as shown in FIGS. 2-6,
for example, the male latch support 102 includes the male sliding
coupler half 206, having a cross-sectional shape (e.g., such as a
"T", "I", "V", inverted "L", etc.) to engage the lock cover 104. In
the implementation, as shown in FIGS. 7-9, for example, the lock
cover 104 is coupled to the male latch support 102 by sliding the
female sliding coupler half 108, having a complementary
cross-sectional shape, over the male sliding coupler half 206. For
example, the female sliding coupler half 108 is integral to or
coupled to the lock cover 104.
[0026] In the implementation, sliding the female sliding coupler
108 over the male sliding coupler 206 couples the lock cover 104 to
the male latch support 102, thereby covering the latch fins 204
with the lock cover 104 and trapping the feature 202 (e.g., latch
202) on the male latch support 102 (see FIG. 8, for example). In an
example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the lock cover 104 may include
a detent or recess 702 configured to fit over the latch fins 204,
for securing the feature 202 of the carrier on the latch fins
204.
[0027] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the female sliding
coupler 108 may include a barrier or wall 704, which can form a
stop for the female sliding coupler 108, to indicate when the
female sliding coupler 108 is fully engaged on the male sliding
coupler 206. In another embodiment, the male sliding coupler 206
includes one or more detents, recesses, or openings 208 which may
be engaged by the female sliding coupler 108, which may include one
or more bumps, tabs, or the like (not shown), to provide tactile
feedback, or to help secure the female sliding coupler 108 to the
male sliding coupler 206. In alternate implementations, the male
sliding coupler 206 and the female sliding coupler 108 may have
different shapes, sizes, or forms than illustrated, and remain
capable of engaging one another to trap the feature 202 of the
carrier. In other implementations, other connection techniques
(e.g., snaps, guides, clips, fasteners, etc.) may also be used to
couple the lock cover 104 to the male latch support 102.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1-15, in various implementations, an
additional locking mechanism 110 may be used to lock the female
lock cover 104 to the male latch support 102, and to prevent the
female lock cover 104 from moving with respect to the male latch
support 102 unintentionally. In the implementations, the locking
mechanism 110 may have different forms or shapes or use different
techniques. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 1-15, a twist lock
mechanism may be used as a locking mechanism 110.
[0029] In an implementation, as shown in FIGS. 2-7, for instance,
the male latch support 102 includes a first portion 210 of a male
lock component 1102 (as shown in FIGS. 11 and 14) and the female
lock cover 104 includes a second portion 212 of the male lock
component 1102. When the female lock cover 104 is joined to the
male latch support 102, the two portions 210 and 212 align and form
the male lock component 1102. In an embodiment, a twist cap 214 (or
the like) can be fit over the male lock component 1102, keeping the
two portions 210 and 212 together and thus, keeping the female lock
cover 104 joined to the male latch support 102, and preventing the
female lock cover 104 from unintentionally moving with respect to
the male latch support 102. In alternate embodiments, other twist
lock mechanisms may be used (e.g., having a ring instead of a cap
212, including more male lock component 1102 portions, and so
forth) or other types of locking mechanisms 110 may be used to
prevent the female lock cover 104 from unintentionally moving with
respect to the male latch support 102.
[0030] To separate the female lock cover 104 from the male latch
support 102, the lock mechanism 110 (e.g., the cap 214) is removed
first. The female sliding coupler 108 is slid away from the male
sliding coupler 206 and the lock cover 104 removed from the male
latch support 102. The feature 202 is lifted off of the latch fins
204 of the male latch support 102. The carrier may then be removed
from the male latch support 102 and the backer 106 for cleaning,
reconfiguration, or the like. The user may re-assemble the holster
arrangement in a similar configuration (as shown in FIGS. 1-5), or
in another configuration as desired using the male latch support
102, a backer 106 or other carry component, and a variation of the
female lock cover 104 (as shown in FIGS. 10-15, for example).
[0031] Different variations of female lock covers 104 are
available, depending on the carry configuration desired, as well as
different holster components that may be coupled to the carrier or
backer 106. As shown in FIGS. 1-15, in various embodiments,
multiple components may be joined and locked in the joined
configuration using a male latch support 102 and a female lock
cover 104.
[0032] In the configurations illustrated herein, FIGS. 1-5 show the
female lock cover 104 as a standalone piece (with an integral or
coupled female sliding coupler half 108) to form an
inside-the-waistband (IWB) carry holster configuration, for
example. In various embodiments, the holster components form a
clip-on holster that can be worn in an IWB carry configuration, or
the like.
[0033] FIGS. 10-12 show the female lock cover 104 (with an integral
or coupled female sliding coupler half 108) integral to an appendix
clip 1002 for clip-on IWB carry, for example. FIGS. 13-15 show the
female lock cover 104 integral to a belt slide 1302 for
outside-the-waistband (OWB) carry, for example (a second belt slide
1304 may also be attached to the backer 106 or the carrier as shown
in FIG. 15). In other embodiments, the configurations shown may be
used for alternate carry arrangements (e.g., shoulder, pocket,
boot, purse, etc.). Also, many other attachment components, such as
clips, paddles, couplers, slides, etc. may be attached to or
integral with the female lock cover 104 for a variety of carry or
storage configurations.
[0034] As described above, to release the carrier from the male
latch support 102 and backer 106, a user removes the lock device
110 and slides the female lock cover 104 off of the male latch
support 102.
[0035] In various implementations, components of the backer latch
100 are comprised of various plastics, composites, metals,
combinations of the same, or the like. For example, the male latch
support 102 and/or the lock cover 104 may be comprised of a
polyamide, or similar material. For example, the backer latch 100
components may be injection molded, stamped, formed, or the like.
In various embodiments, the backer latch 100 components have
rigidity and stability properties based on a particular material
selected for the backer latch 100 components. For example, some
materials that may be used include styrenic block copolymers
(TPE-s), polyolefin blends (TPE-o), elastomeric alloys (TPE-v or
TPV), thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), Thermoplastic
copolyesters, thermoplastic polyamides, various metals and alloys,
fiber composites, combinations of the same, and the like.
Additionally, in some embodiments, the stability properties are
also based on a thickness of the backer latch 100 components.
[0036] In various implementations, the backer latch 100 may include
fewer, more, or alternate components, and remain within the scope
of the disclosure. In various embodiments, the shape and
configuration of the backer latch 100 components may vary to
accommodate different implements or applications. In an example,
the male latch support 102 and/or lock cover 104 may be formed to
closely fit a particular implement. In other examples, the male
latch support 102 and/or lock cover 104 may be more generally
formed to fit multiple implements. For instance, carriers may
include different carrier feature (e.g., latch 702) designs,
shapes, and sizes.
[0037] The illustrations of FIGS. 1-15 are not intended to be
limiting. In the various example embodiments illustrated in FIGS.
1-15, the location and position of the components, locking
mechanisms, and the like are for example only. Other locations and
positions are contemplated and are within the scope of this
disclosure. In some cases, additional or alternative components,
techniques, sequences, or processes may be used to implement the
techniques described herein. Further, the components and/or
techniques may be arranged and/or combined in various combinations,
while resulting in similar or approximately identical results. It
is to be understood that a backer latch 100 may be implemented as a
stand-alone system or as part of another arrangement (e.g.,
integrated with other components). In various implementations,
additional or alternative components may be used to accomplish the
disclosed techniques and arrangements.
[0038] While a carrier in the form of a handgun holster is
illustrated, various other types of implements, implement holsters,
cases, containers, and the like are also within the scope of the
disclosure, and intended to be mounted using the backer latch 100.
Further, the design of the backer latch 100 as well as the design
of the various attachment devices may vary. Other attachment
devices and techniques are also within the scope of the
disclosure.
[0039] Although various implementations and examples are discussed
herein, further implementations and examples may be possible by
combining the features and elements of individual implementations
and examples.
CONCLUSION
[0040] Although the implementations of the disclosure have been
described in language specific to structural features and/or
methodological acts, it is to be understood that the
implementations are not necessarily limited to the specific
features or acts described.
* * * * *